Manual Focus
Nikkor 85mm
f/1.4s
Telephoto lensThis
is the fastest short telephoto lens* at Nikkor 85mm focal
length or even to be more precise, within the Nikkor telephoto lens group. The maximum
aperture f/1.4 enables any Nikon SLRs' viewfinder image remains bright for ease of
focusing and picture composing. The lens was also the first Nikkor telephoto lens
which incorporates the innovative close range correction system (CRC) to ensure its
superior optical quality extends to its closest focusing distances where It focuses
down to 0.85m.

* In 1951, Nikon
optical engineers designed an extremely fast 7 elements Nikkor 85mm f/1.5-S lens
for their rangefinder cameras. That lens was in fact, optically an "enhanced
& magnified version" telephoto lens based on the optical design of the Nikkor
50mm f/1.4. Nevertheless, for quite a long spell, it remains as the fastest Nikkor
telephoto lens until the arrival of the Nikkor 85mm f1.4 in 1982.

This Ai-S
version of the Nikkor telephoto lens was first announced as early as in 1980 but
it was only began marketing late in September, 1981.This lens weighs quite heavily
at 620g but the quality presence of its physical construction is apparent once you
hold one in your hand. Possibly its weight was due to its complex 7 elements in 5
groups design and with its few of the large pieces of lens elements at the front
section. Its extraordinary light gathering power, top rated optical performance and
moderate compression of perspective makes it an ideal lens for indoor and/or low
available light shooting such as stage fashion, press and photojournalism. Strangely,
the MF lens is heavier than the current AF lens (550g) despite the AF lens has an
even more complex optical arrangements with its 9 elements in 8 groups design - possibly
the AF version has the aid in the adoption of an internal focus (IF) design. Well,
come to think of it - how nice if we can interpret weight ratio into dollar and cents.....
in such case - the AF lens should cost lesser huh ?

Comparing optical
construction between an Ai-S Manual Focus Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 and a current AF Nikkor
85mm f/1.4 D lens which has an IF design side by side. The manual lens is incorporating
a CRC system and has a 7 elements in 5 group design while the new AF lens has more
elements within in a 9 elements in 8 group optical arrangement So, we would assume
the reduction of weight probably is resulted from other various physical components
used and thinner glass elements etc....

Optically,
this lens is able to provide high contrast images with high definitions across all
aperture range. The edge of the two maximum apertures at f/1.4 and f/2.0 is still
considered slightly soft, a normal behavior in high speed telephoto lenses. But since
the lens is specifically designed for handling low light shooting, sometimes the
generous f/1.4 is everything you'd need to squeeze another stop in hand holdable
shutter speed to save a shoot.

Naturally, this lens is
also a perfect solution for shooting indoor such as studio photography where you
don't really has too much working distance. Lastly, although it shouldn't confine
its wide range potential in just to shoot portraiture but still it is best to shoot
half body length portraiture if you insist as the 85mm is still falls short to maintain
a natural perspective if use too close for such specific application.

Well, I am not
sure if you ever notice that, very often, high speed lenses at few specific focal
lengths are used as status lens to demonstrate the technological advances and breakthrough
individual companies can strive for. This fast Nikkor lens is used to compare it
with competing rival brands which has similar manual focus optic of equivalent maximum
lens aperture. For an instance, 85mm lenses produced by other manufacturers such
as those by Contax's Zeiss
Planar 85mm f/1.2
lens and the Canon's FDn 85mm
f/1.2L.

Another strange
off-topic phenomenon relating to this lens is, this manual focus telephoto lens actually
was co-existed and remained in production along with the equivalent AF lens version
for quite sometime until Nikon announced its discontinuation. (Until year 1988, Nikon
still stated availability of this high speed manual focus lens in their Nikkor product
sales manual with two AF Nikkor lenses each at f/1.4, f/1.8 and the MF lens at f/1.4.
Naturally, the great piece of Nikkor optic possesses every features of how a Nikkor
Ai-S encompasses within its shell and enables it to maintain a wide compatibility
with many Nikon SLR cameras introduced over the years which includes many of the
Non-Ai Nikon bodies which still able to work in stopped down metering. Other than
a selective latest entry level Nikon AF SLR cameras that may not be able to show
metering info inside the viewfinder when this lens is used, this lens can be mounted
on virtually with ALL Nikon bodies and retains full-scale functional of various features,
regardless they are non-AI, AI or AF. Thus, this lens does provides exceptional good
elements in good investment and/or re-sale value, compatibility and most of all,
top class performance.

Technical
Highlights:

* Natural perspective
and superlative image sharpness. * At f/1.4, it is the
fastest telephoto in the Nikkor lineup, providing an exceptionally bright viewfinder
image and critical, pinpoint focusing. *The first telephoto
lens to employ Nikon's Close-Range Correction System to insure high resolution down
to a close focusing distance of 0.85m (3 ft.). *
Beautiful selective focus at maximum aperture makes this lens most suitable for pictures
of people.

<<<---This tele-Nikkor lense will work
with all metering systems in cameras such as Nikon F4 and a few other equivalent
AF bodies introduced
during the mid-'80. NOTE: Serial Numbers of
this version was believed to have been started with 179091 for this AIS-only telephoto
lens

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.